Venezuela’s National Assembly has launched a special commission to investigate lethal US naval strikes targeting vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. The move comes amid reports alleging that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued orders to kill all crew members aboard one of the attacked boats in early September.

Venezuelan Investigation

Speaking on state television, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela Jorge Rodriguez announced that the investigation would be “comprehensive and in-depth,” with the country’s prosecution office participating. Rodriguez emphasized that the commission aims to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the US strikes, including alleged violations of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.

The investigation is partly prompted by a report published in the Washington Post claiming that, following the first strike, surviving crew members were targeted in a second attack,

US Lawmakers Call for Oversight

In the United States, lawmakers from both political parties expressed support for congressional review of President Donald Trump’s military operations against suspected drug-trafficking vessels. They referenced the report alleging that Secretary Hegseth verbally ordered the killing of all personnel on one boat during the September 2 attack.

While some Republican legislators expressed skepticism and admitted uncertainty about the Washington Post report’s accuracy, they agreed that targeting survivors of the initial strike raises serious legal and ethical concerns.